October 2014 will be an especially memorable one to me, as it is FULL of change! Thursday, October 16, 2014 was my last day as a hospice nurse. Though I have worked in hospice less than a year, I have had a heart for end-of-life care the majority of my nursing career. There is something unexplainably beautiful and fulfilling about helping a dying person make that journey into eternity. Hospice is not just about death and dying; it is about life and living it fully to the very end. It is about providing comfort and dignity to the one leaving this earth and peace and reassurance to those being left behind. I will forever treasure the friendships and deep bonds made during my short time as a hospice nurse, as well as my long time as an oncology nurse; and I look forward to meeting the beautiful souls of those whose journey ended under my care when my time on earth is over. This good thing, being a hospice nurse, is now a precious part of my past.
As a good thing ended, a great thing has begun! I am now fully stepping into my new role as Nurse Recruitment and Retention Officer at Hendrick Medical Center! I am still pinching myself because this great thing does not seem real! This new position takes me away from the bedside, caring for patients, and puts me on the front lines of caring for the caregivers. My responsibilities include recruiting new and experienced nurses to our amazing organization and developing ways to retain them. I am ecstatic about this great new thing because it is right up my alley!
I love new nurses! I love their enthusiasm, their passion, their fresh knowledge! I love how they bring new ideas into our workplace. I love how they are still in love with nursing.
I love seasoned nurses, as well. Their expertise, life experiences, and deep-rooted passion for one of the toughest professions on earth are the qualities that make them heroes, placing patient care ahead of their own needs. (Just ask any nurse - sometimes we only pee once in a shift. Of course, that's usually because we never had time to eat or drink anything.) These folks are the ones who work in the trenches, and it is not always pretty. To be the face of these heroes of healthcare at Hendrick Medical Center is one of the greatest honors I have ever received!
Last night, my family and I celebrated these endings and beginnings. We also celebrated my birthday…10 days early. I requested this early celebration because last night was also the end of a lifetime of weight struggles and the beginning of a new way of life. I have written about my battle with my weight many times, but this time is different. This morning, I began a 10-day liquid diet to prepare me for another great new thing…vertical sleeve gastrectomy. On October 29, 2014, two days after my actual 48th birthday, I will have 80% of my stomach removed. This weight-loss surgery will be a tool that will help me achieve my goals of being fit and healthy FOREVER! There will be more about this, probably so much more that my three followers will unfollow me. :) I will blog about it, though, for myself and for anyone else whose life might be touched or changed.
For now, though, I am embracing my new role, adapting to a Monday-Friday, 8-5 work week, learning about spreadsheets and powerpoint presentations, establishing contact lists, and trying to put together outfits daily from my scarce wardrobe. (I'm not buying anything because I'm about to become the incredible shrinking woman!)
Thank You, Jesus, for the memories of good things past and the promise of great things to come!
Blessings!
I am so excited for you on all accounts and I can't wait to read about your experiences!
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